The Story Behind "The Room"

One night in 1995, while visiting Puerto Rico for a Billy Graham crusade, I had a very powerful dream. I recorded it in the form of a story and named it The Room. I had no idea then how far the story of my dream would circulate.

The article was orginally published in New Attitude magazine in 1995, and then reprinted in a chapter of my book I Kissed Dating Goodbye in 1997. It touches on the universal themes of guilt and redemption. How does a man find forgiveness for the wrongs he's committed or for the good he's left undone? Is our past something we can leave behind or forget? How can any of us know true forgiveness from a God who is holy and just?

Related Links
In a buried section of my website we gathered information about The Room. But since that page is now hard to find, I decided to post it again here.

�Ģ Read The Room

�Ģ Watch the 6-Minute Film Adaptation

�Ģ "Did Josh Really Write it?"

As the final link references, there's been a sad controversy around the authorship of the story. But the issue of central importance about the story is not it's author or its popularity, but the powerful message it communicates. The Room points to our need for a Savior who can rescue us from the punishment our sins deserve. Jesus Christ is that Savior.

Your Feedback
Over the last few years I've toyed with the idea of writing a shorter, evangelistic book that would use The Room to introduce and explain the gospel to people who don't know Jesus. I'm not sure I'm up for it, but I have always wanted to write a book that is written for a non-Christian reader--one that seeks to present the gospel in words he or she can relate to and understand. The Room seems to open the door for conversation about our guilt and need for redemption. But by itself it is incomplete--and possibly even misleading in what it fails to explain about God's wrath toward sin and the need for repentance and faith. It needs much more thorough explanation and unpacking to truly point people to salvation through Jesus Christ. That's what I'd try to do in the book.

So if you're willing to post a comment, I'd love to hear from you on one or all of the following: 1) Do you have a story of how The Room effected you when you firt read it? Or do you know of someone who was touched by it? 2) Do you think this book idea has merit? Do you think it would be useful in sharing the gospel with unbelievers? (Don't hesitate to say "no". I won't be hurt.) 3) Do you have any suggestions on what a book like the one I'm considering should include?

Any and all feedback is welcome. Some of you might remember that my third book, Sex is Not the Problem launched with a request on my website for stories and suggestions. So who knows, this post could be the start of something, too. I look forward to getting your perspective!

Comments (6)

I emailed your Church asking for permission to use your story "The Room" in a book of mine in the Chapter titled, "Salvaton...A Free Gift." The book is called, "What I Would Tell You... If You Will Listen......The Truth According to the Word of God." It is exactly what the title says it is... I use tons of scripture to prove that the Bible is the inspired Word of God and that Jesus' work on the Cross is a finished work. I also expose false doctrine and the New Age movements that are creeping into our churches and then end the book with a Salvation message in hopes that the reader will give their heart and soul to the Lord! I love your story and believe it shows the incredible gift that we have available to us when we accept Jesus as Savior. If you would be willing to let me put the story in my book, I would really appreciate it, and if you do say yes, would you mind if I put your name as the author? Your sister in Jesus Christ, Karen Romero

Posted by Karen Romero | April 3, 2007 4:31 PM

'The Room' is the most powerful thing I've read, and as a Christian it has convicted me to get my life straight with God. I definitely think it should be made into some type of literature material with a little more explanation of the gospel for non-believers. I think a tract that could be handed out would be ideal, especially if it was in action-comic form like Jack Chick's tracts. People, especially teens and college age, are more likely to read something in the form of a comic than pure text - they don't have the interest or the patience for text alone because of the multimedia world they've grown up in. I think it would also work well if it was not immediately apparent by the cover or the first few pages that the tract is about Christianity, so they will not throw it out immediately before beginning to read it. May God continue to use 'The Room' as a powerful tool for calling sinners to repentance.

Posted by Chris | April 3, 2008 3:00 AM

I was touched by "The Room" the first time I read it simply because it is such an autobiographical piece to all individuals.

And for some reason, maybe even the lessons contained within the story itself, I am mystified by those who have an unGodly zeal to point out that a young man erroneously credited with writing this story ironically died shortly after reading this at a FCA type meeting.

I was not there to hear this man read this piece. I have no idea if he credited you with writing it or if just by the grace of God, this piece touched this young man and in his need to share the message he forgot to give credit... or if he did give credit but the grief of losing him clouded everyone's judgment.

My "baby" brother died at the tender age of 19. In retrospect, I can only think of one instance where our sibling rivalry was severe... though I am sure that there were other moments of anger and tension. I understand the sense of loss and mourning... the need to find only the good in him. I can only compare it to losing an arm or a leg and being told there is not way to replace that part. One learns how to function in life, but you still feel the loss of something that is a part of you.

If anything, the messages contained in "The Room" need to be spread far and wide. Maybe I am simply being simplistic, but I can't help but think that those who so wanted to prove the young man a plagiarist missed one of the lessons of the story: there will be a card catalogue file entitled "Those We Should Have Prayed For But Didn't" and do we really want to see it full?

Posted by Susanna | August 5, 2008 8:38 PM

First, I want to inform you that I am a born-again Christian and have been for many years. I've had several episodes of "ups and downs" in my Christian walk, but no matter how far I walked away, I always knew in my heart that Jesus lived and died on the cross for me. And, I totally believe that He is the Son of God, rose again, and will be returning again for His church, very soon!
I just finished reading an email sent to me by a Christian friend about a 17 year old boy that (supposedly) wrote "The Room". I was unbelievably touched by this story. I had to stop reading several times because I was sobbing so hard. I was actually crying out for Jesus, not to forgive me, because I knew He already had, but to let Him know how much I grieved for all the hurt I caused Him through my many, many sins throughout my life. I never felt so much shame and sorrow for my past as I did while reading that story. I never felt that kind of conviction before! Incredible!!
It wasn't because I thought this teen wrote the story before dying, or anything else regarding the teen. It had nothing to do with him. My sorrow was from the affect that the boy's sins had on Jesus; how Jesus took the boy's sins on Himself; and how Jesus forgave and comforted the boy with a love far greater than we are capable of. I've always known that basically, that's what Jesus does, but it never had that kind of realistic, hitting home kind of impact on me before. It was so "personal".
I wanted to pass this email on to everyone on my list, and copy it to share with everyone I know, but before I could do that, I wanted to check with Snopes to make sure the story was true. I was so torn about doing that. I was so afraid I would find out that the story was false. But, I decided that regardless of what I found out, I wanted to forward that email because of the impact it had on me. I wanted that same thing to happen to everyone else, too. Before I could forward it, I just had to know for myself if it was true or not. So... I went to Snopes.
I was crushed! I read the word "False". Just what I feared. But, as I sat there thinking it over, I realized I didn't care. God had used that story to leave a lasting impact on me and that's all that mattered. I was about to click off Snopes, then decided to continue reading about the origin of it. That's when I discovered the story was YOUR'S, not the teen's. This is how I learned of your website. That's how I have come to write this tale to you, since you asked for our reaction when first reading "The Room".
Isn't it incredible how God works!! Even though the boy sinned more by what he did, God took that sin and turned it around to use it for good. I am so thankful for the story you wrote. I am so thankful that Brian also recognized the power your story contained. But, although I regret that he used it the way he did, I would probably never have experienced this blessing if he hadn't. I wouldn't have known about your website either, nor of all the books you've written!
You asked for our thoughts regarding your desire to write an "evangelistic book that would use "The Room" to introduce and explain the gospel to people who don't know Jesus". I just hope you've already started it!!! Better yet... I hope it's done and waiting for me to order it! This would not only be of extreme value to the unbeliever, but also to those Christians who are trying to spread The Word. Your description of all the things you would want to include in your book is perfect. I couldn't ask for more. All I can say is that if you haven't done it yet, HURRY, 'cause I don't think we've got too much longer to wait. There's so many I want and need to reach, but I need all the help I can get. Your book is just what I need. God Bless You. Jeane DeVore

Posted by JEANE DEVORE | September 4, 2008 2:36 PM

absolutely beautiful
I cried. I cried again, when I read it again.

the dream was a gift from God
It has amazing touched so many lives though various venues. Praise His holy name!

Posted by Dawn Skreamer | June 23, 2009 1:20 PM

Like the comment from Karen at the top, I would like to use "The Room" as a part of series of skits. The series of skits would be evangelistic and focused on youth. We would cite you as the author and anything else we need to do if we could have permission. In a world where "Jesus loves you" and "Jesus died for your sins" are catch phrases and have lost there meaning to a lost society, "The Room" takes a view of what Jesus did on the cross that is refreshing and should capture the attention of the audience. In Christ, David

Posted by David Morgan | July 25, 2009 1:34 AM

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